Information and steps on how to register a business name
Register a business nameTo renew a business name, you will need your account number or ABN handy.
Renewing your business nameThe ASIC Connect portal will allow you to:
The ASIC Connect portal will allow you to:
Within online services for business name holders, you can:
Information and steps on how to register a new business
Register a companyManage your company details via the company officeholder portal:
Download your company annual review statement from ASIC.
Lodge regulatory statements, documents and transactions in the Regulatory portal.
Within online services for company officeholders, you can:
Update your client details via the Registered agent portal.
Information about how you can update and/or cancel your registered agent registration.
Within online services for registered agents and authorised lodgers, you can:
Information and steps on how to apply for an Australian financial services (AFS) licence.
Applying for and managing an AFS licenceUpdate your AFS licence details and lodge financial document via the Regulatory portal.
Changing your licence details through the Regulatory PortalLog in to ASIC Connect to appoint and update AFS representative's details.
Lodge regulatory documents and transaction in the ASIC Regulatory Portal
You can register a managed investment scheme using the eLicensing system (not the ASIC regulatory portal).
Log in to the eLicensing systemYou can lodge FS88 PDS in-use notice using the eLicensing system (not the ASIC regulatory portal).
Log in to the eLicensing systemWithin online services for business name holders, you can:
Information and steps on how to apply for a credit licence.
Apply for a credit licenceUpdate your credit licence details and appoint credit representations via the Credit Licensee portal
Lodge regulatory documents and transactions in the ASIC Regulatory portal.
Within online services for credit licensees and credit representatives, you can:
Information and steps on how to apply for auditor or authorised audit company registration.
Applying for an auditor registrationUpdate your auditors details and submit annual statements via the Auditors portal.
Lodge regulatory documents and transactions in the ASIC Regulatory portal.
Apply and maintain your SMSF auditor registration via the Regulatory portal.
Within online services for SMSF auditors, you can:
Update your liquidator details and lodge external administration documents via the liquidator portal.
Lodge regulatory documents and transactions in the ASIC Regulatory portal.
I am a
Information and steps on how to register a business name
Register a business nameTo renew a business name, you will need your account number or ABN handy.
Renewing your business nameThe ASIC Connect portal will allow you to:
The ASIC Connect portal will allow you to:
Within online services for business name holders, you can:
Information and steps on how to register a new business.
Register a companyManage your company details via the company officeholder portal:
Download your company annual review statement from ASIC.
Lodge regulatory statements, documents and transactions in the Regulatory portal.
Within online services for company officeholders, you can:
Update your client details via the Registered agent portal.
Information about how you can update and/or cancel your registered agent registration.
LoginWithin online services for registered agents and authorised lodgers, you can:
Information and steps on how to apply for an Australian financial services (AFS) licence.
Applying for and managing an AFS licenceUpdate your AFS licence details and lodge financial document via the Regulatory portal.
Changing your licence details through the Regulatory PortalLog in to ASIC Connect to appoint, register, update and cease AFS representatives details.
Lodge regulatory documents and transaction in the ASIC Regulatory Portal.
You can register a managed investment scheme using the eLicensing system (not the ASIC regulatory portal).
Log in to the eLicensing systemYou can lodge FS88 PDS in-use notice using the eLicensing system (not the ASIC regulatory portal).
Log in to the eLicensing systemWithin online services for business name holders, you can:
Information and steps on how to apply for a credit licence.
Apply for a credit licenceUpdate your credit licence details and appoint credit representations via the Credit Licensee portal.
Lodge regulatory documents and transactions in the ASIC Regulatory portal.
LoginWithin online services for credit licensees and credit representatives, you can:
Information and steps on how to apply for auditor or authorised audit company registration.
Applying for an auditor registrationUpdate your auditors details and submit annual statements via the Auditors portal.
Lodge regulatory documents and transactions in the ASIC Regulatory portal.
Apply and maintain your SMSF auditor registration via the Regulatory portal.
Within online services for SMSF auditors, you can:
Update your liquidator details and lodge external administration documents via the liquidator portal.
Lodge regulatory documents and transactions in the ASIC Regulatory portal.
About ASIC
ASIC is investigating the management and operation of the First Guardian Master Fund (First Guardian), a managed investment scheme. Falcon Capital Limited (Falcon) is the responsible entity of the scheme and is now in liquidation.
ASIC understands that investments were made into First Guardian by around 6,000 investors, who accessed First Guardian primarily through superannuation platforms the trustees for which were Diversa Trustees Limited (Diversa), Netwealth Investments Limited/Netwealth Superannuation Services Pty Ltd (Netwealth), or Equity Trustees Superannuation Limited (Equity Trustees).
ASIC’s investigation to date suggests that many of those investors were called by lead generators and referred to personal financial advice providers who advised them to roll their superannuation assets into a retail choice superannuation fund, and then invest into First Guardian. Some investors received advice to set up self-managed superannuation funds (SMSFs) to facilitate investments into First Guardian.
ASIC’s investigation into Falcon and its officers and related entities, is part of ASIC’s broader consideration of matters concerning First Guardian and is ongoing.
ASIC will update this webpage when important steps take place in relation to this matter. We suggest you visit this page regularly for updates. The liquidators also have a webpage about the status of the liquidation at Falcon Capital Limited | Creditors Portal | FTI Consulting.
If you have concerns about the financial advice you received or about your superannuation trustee you may wish to consider lodging a complaint with the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA). AFCA is the external dispute resolution scheme for financial complaints in Australia and must deal with complaints independently and fairly. AFCA’s service is free for consumers.
AFCA can be contacted by:
AFCA can only deal with complaints where the financial firm is a member of AFCA. Many Australian financial services (AFS) licensees are required to be members of AFCA. You can search for members of AFCA on their website: Financial Firm Search · Customer Self-Service. We have listed the main AFS licensees below with their associated AFCA Member Number:
AFCA Member No: 10416
AFS Licence No: 246638
Authorised representatives
Contact details
AFCA Member No: 10327
AFS Licence No: 225985
Authorised representatives:
Contact details:
ASIC cancelled FSGA’s Australian financial services licence on 7 June 2025.
In cancelling FSGA’s licence, ASIC required FSGA to remain a member of AFCA until 4 June 2026. If you intend to lodge a complaint with AFCA in relation to advice received from FSGA you should do so by 4 June 2026.
(AFSL 496179)
As United Global Capital Pty Ltd (UGC) is in liquidation, clients should contact the liquidators, SV Partners, by email to ugc@svp.com.au.
UGC’s membership with the (AFCA) expired at 5pm AEST on 31 May 2025 and AFCA is unable to accept any new complaints about UGC. For further information, see the UGC page on the AFCA website.
AFCA also has important information for self-managed superannuation fund (SMSF) trustees on their website: Factsheet – SMSF complaints.
If you have concerns about your superannuation trustee, please find details of the relevant AFCA member below:
| Platform | Super trustee and AFCA Member | Contact details |
|---|---|---|
| YourChoice Super |
Diversa Trustees Limited AFCA Member No. 11961 |
yourchoicesuper@onevue.com.au 1800 571 881 (option 5) |
|
Australian Practical Superannuation |
Diversa Trustees Limited AFCA Member No. 11961 |
service@umaservice.com.au 1800 571 881 (option 5) |
|
Praemium Super |
Diversa Trustees Limited AFCA Member No. 11961 |
support@praemium.com.au 1800 571 881 (option 2) |
|
Netwealth Superannuation |
Netwealth Superannuation Services Pty Ltd AFCA Member No. 79400 |
contact@netwealth.com.au 1800 888 223 |
|
NQ Super / Freedom of Choice |
Equity Trustees Superannuation Limited AFCA Member No: 10992 |
acclaimadmin@acclaimwealth.com.au 1300 264 264 |
On 27 May 2024, Falcon suspended the processing of applications and withdrawals from First Guardian subject to some limited exceptions (First Guardian Master Fund May 2024 Update). Since that time, the majority of investors have been unable to access their funds.
On 27 February 2025, the Federal Court made interim orders preserving the assets of Falcon, First Guardian and Mr Anderson (25-027MR). ASIC took this action as it was concerned about the management and operation of First Guardian and the associated risks to investor funds. ASIC alleged that:
In February 2025 and March 2025, the Federal Court made interim orders freezing assets of persons connected to the First Guardian investigation, including:
On 9 April 2025, the Federal Court appointed Ross Blakeley and Paul Harlond of FTI Consulting as liquidators of Falcon and ordered them to wind up Falcon, First Guardian and related unregistered subsidiary funds (25-055 MR). The liquidators are due to provide a statutory report to creditors by 9 July 2025.
Mr Paul Allen of PKF Melbourne, was also appointed as the receiver and manager to the personal property of Mr Anderson. Mr Allen is due to deliver his report to the Federal Court by 8 July 2025 (25-041MR).
On 4 June 2025, ASIC cancelled the Australian Financial Services (AFS) licence of Financial Services Group Australia Pty Ltd (FSGA) and permanently banned FSGA’s Responsible Manager (RM) Graham Holmes (25-102MR). Certain authorised representatives of FSGA provided personal financial product advice to consumers to invest in the First Guardian Master Fund. Ferras Merhi was the sole director of FSGA from 10 February 2021 to 30 May 2025. ASIC is investigating Mr Merhi and various entities associated with him, in connection with its investigations concerning Shield and First Guardian. If you intend to lodge a complaint with AFCA in relation to advice received from FSGA or its authorised representatives you should do so by 4 June 2026.
On 2 July 2025, the Federal Court made interim travel restraint orders against Falcon Capital Limited directors, Mr David Anderson and Mr Simon Selimaj prohibiting Mr Anderson and Mr Selimaj from leaving Australia until 27 February 2026. The Federal Court also made interim orders freezing the assets of Mr Selimaj (25-117MR).
ASIC has obtained orders freezing the assets of First Guardian and Mr David Anderson, a director of Falcon.
ASIC has applied to the Federal Court for the appointment of liquidators to Falcon and for orders directing the liquidators to wind up First Guardian. ASIC is also seeking the appointment of a receiver and manager to the personal property of Mr David Anderson.
Following an application made by ASIC, the Federal Court has made interim orders freezing certain assets of Melbourne-based financial adviser Ferras Merhi.
Effective 31 May 2025, Mr Merhi and Venture Egg are no longer authorised representatives of Interprac Financial Planning Pty Ltd.
Following an application made by ASIC, the Federal Court has made interim orders freezing certain assets of Osama Saad, former director of Aus Super Compare Pty Ltd (in liquidation) and Atlas Marketing Pty Ltd (in liquidation).
Following an application made by ASIC, the Federal Court has made orders freezing assets of Rashid Alshakshir, director of Lion & Horn Pty Ltd (in liquidation), Nohap Pty Ltd (in liquidation) and Indigo Group Pty Ltd (in liquidation).
Following an application made by ASIC, the Federal Court has made orders appointing Ross Blakeley and Paul Harlond of FTI Consulting as liquidators of Falcon and ordered them to wind up Falcon, First Guardian and related unregistered subsidiary funds. The Federal Court also ordered that Mr Paul Allen of PKF Melbourne be appointed as receiver to the property of Mr David Anderson.
On 7 June 2025, ASIC cancelled the Australian Financial Services (AFS) licence of Financial Services Group Australia Pty Ltd (FSGA) and permanently banned FSGA’s Responsible Manager (RM) Graham Holmes.
Certain authorised representatives of FSGA provided personal financial product advice to consumers who invested the First Guardian Master Fund. Ferras Merhi was the sole director of FSGA from 10 February 2021 to 30 May 2025. ASIC is investigating Mr Merhi and various entities associated with him, in connection with its investigations concerning Shield and First Guardian. If you intend to lodge a complaint with AFCA in relation to advice received from FSGA or its authorised representatives you should do so by 4 June 2026.
Following an application made by ASIC, the Federal Court has made interim travel restraint orders against Falcon Capital Limited directors David Anderson and Simon Selimaj, preventing Mr Anderson and Mr Selimaj from leaving Australia until 27 February 2026. The Federal Court also made interim orders freezing the assets of Mr Selimaj until 27 February 2025.
On 27 May 2024, Falcon suspended the processing of applications and withdrawals from First Guardian subject to some limited exceptions (First Guardian Master Fund May 2024 Update). Since that time, the majority of investors have been unable to access their funds.
You cannot transfer or withdraw your investment as all redemptions are frozen due to the liquidation so that the overall financial position of the fund and recoverability of the funds’ investments can be assessed by the liquidators.
Following concerns raised by ASIC, the Federal Court appointed liquidators to Falcon and ordered the wind-up of First Guardian and its related unregistered subsidiary funds. ASIC sought orders to preserve the assets of the scheme so that they may be recovered, to the extent available, for the benefit of investors while the investigation is continuing.
The Liquidators are in the process of identifying the assets, their current position and the recoverability of the funds’ investments. The liquidators will keep unitholders informed and will provide updates on their website with respect to any material developments: Falcon Capital Limited | Creditors Portal | FTI Consulting. The Liquidators are due to lodge a statutory report by 9 July 2025.
Whether any money is returned depends on available assets, court outcomes and the results of liquidation and any recovery proceedings.
The liquidators are in the process of preparing their reports which will confirm the overall financial position of the fund. This is likely to take some time however their website confirms they are due to provide a further and more detailed update on or around 9 July 2025.
The liquidator’s initial update includes the ‘unit holder claim form’. If you haven’t already, you can complete it to be informed of any future updates from the liquidators directly.
Unfortunately, ASIC is not able to provide any information, documents or advice specific to your investment.
If your investment was facilitated through a superannuation platform, you may wish to contact your superannuation trustee for further information about your investment. If you have concerns about your superannuation or investment platform provider, you may wish to consider lodging a complaint with AFCA.
Be alert—we are aware of emails impersonating professional firms that claim to be able to recover lost funds or provide compensation. These may include links to websites requesting login details and other personal or financial information.
ASIC strongly recommends you not to click on any links or respond to these messages or emails.
ASIC’s Moneysmart website includes guidance that unexpected contact, constant contact and pressure to take action or make a quick decision are warning signs of scams: Protect yourself from scams.
Moneysmart also provides guidance to hang up the call, or block emails or text messages, if someone offers from a third-party organisation to recover lost funds or claims they can recover your losses for a percentage of the recovered losses or for a fee they say is a ‘tax’, ‘deposit’, ‘retainer’ or ‘refundable insurance bond’: What to do if you've been scammed.
If you receive a suspicious message, you can report it to Scamwatch: Report a scam | Scamwatch.
Former clients still have the right to lodge a complaint with AFCA for up to one year from the date of licence cancellation, provided the conduct occurred while the firm was licensed.
If you intend to lodge a complaint with AFCA in relation to advice received from FSGA or its authorised representatives you should do so by 4 June 2026. Further information in relation to FSGA’s licence cancellation can be found on ASIC’s website: 25-102MR ASIC cancels AFS licence of Financial Services Group Australia.
If your investment in the First Guardian was made through a SMSF you may wish to consider contacting your accountant or seek independent financial advice. ASIC’s Moneysmart website has information on how to choose a financial adviser.
AFCA also has important information on its website which outlines who can bring a complaint to AFCA about advice or services provided to a SMSF: Factsheet – SMSF complaints.
The liquidators have published a webpage where they are providing updates in respect of Falcon Capital and the First Guardian Master Fund, which is available FTI Consulting. The statutory report is due to be lodged by the liquidators on 9 July 2025.
This webpage has links to various updates and answers to frequently asked questions which have been published by FTI Consulting. We have included these links below for ease:
Investors can contact the liquidators with any queries by emailing falcon.investors@fticonsulting.com.
We are unable to confirm any particular priority of distributions from the liquidation of First Guardian. The priority of distributions is governed by the Corporations Act 2001 (the Act).
Determining the prioritisation of distributions in large liquidations is often complicated and may depend on matters determined during the course of the liquidation, or may be the subject of litigation by interested parties or applications for judicial advice. ASIC cannot instruct the liquidators as to the priority of distributions – the liquidators are independent of ASIC.
The liquidators stated in their most recent update that they are still considering priorities between creditors and unit holders.
For further detail as to why ASIC took this action, see the Updates section above. ASIC cannot comment on its open investigation further than what is available through its court actions.
ASIC has set out its approach to enforcement in Information Sheet 151 ASIC’s approach to enforcement. ASIC considers a number of factors when deciding if enforcement action is appropriate to address particular misconduct, such as the seriousness of the alleged misconduct, its impact on the confidence of investors and financial consumers, and the consequences of the misconduct for investors and others.
Due to the scale and complexity of the investigation, we cannot estimate how long it will take.
We understand this may be a difficult time for you. Further support is available if you need it.
If you are experiencing financial difficulty, you can speak to an independent financial counsellor for free by contacting the National Debt Helpline (NDH) on 1800 007 007 (9:30am to 4.30pm in your local Australian time zone, Monday to Friday). The NDH may not be able to assist with your specific investment.
You can also find a financial counselling agency using the map on ASIC’s Moneysmart website.
You may be able to obtain free independent legal advice from a community legal centre – You can search for your local community legal centre here: Legal Help – CLCs Australia.
Justice Connect may be able to link eligible individuals with firms and barristers that may be able to provide pro bono legal advice. You can visit the Justice Connect webpage here: Home – Justice Connect for more information.
If you are experiencing a mental health crisis and want to talk to someone straight away the following services operate 24/7:
Lifeline
Beyond Blue
The Beyond Blue Support Service is available 24/7 for brief counselling. You can call them on 1300 22 4636 or chat to them online. They also have a variety of other mental health supports you can access.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
For information about non-crisis counselling resources: